5 Most Profitable Toys of Past Christmases

There have been a lot of toys that have come and gone, but if you want something that will make the test of time and has been the most profitable you need to go no further then this list of the 5 most profitable toys.

Would it surprise you that Barbie which was created and unvieled in 1959 is still the most profitable toy by Mattel?  Though Barbie has gone through her own changes in regards to design and function there have been over 1 Billion Barbie’s sold and is still Mattel’s signature brand.  Another non-surprise is the Nerf Ball.  Released back in the 1970′s when designers quickly realized the potential of a ball that wouldn’t harm indoor furnishings.  One of the most recognizeable NERF products is the NERF Football with NERF products accounting for $150 million in sales.

In 1996 Tickle Me Elmo was born and the toy became an instant hit that it led to suppliers not being able to keep up with the demand, long lines at stores and some escalated prices for those selling them.  1 Million units of Tickle Me Elmo were sold in 1996 and it led to $30 million in revenue sales.  Other contenders included the debut of the Etch-A-Skecth which has sold 150 million units since its debut 50 years ago.  Another popular game is Pong, which was introduced in 1972 and brought to light the idea of electronic arcade style games brought to the home.  The game racked up $40 Million in sales in 1975.  Which goes to show you even the simplest games have power.  What toy do you think will hit it big this holiday season?

Source News: San Francisco Chronicle